'Johns' won't be named in border sex trafficking case

The identities of the johns who paid for the services of an alleged cross-border sex-trafficking scheme might never be known under a court order issued by a federal judge in El Paso.

U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo granted the order at the request of government prosecutors in the case of Charles Marquez, who was charged last year with running an alleged cross-border prostitution scheme from Aug. 17, 2007, to Feb. 29, 2012.

Authorities alleged that the scheme involved luring women and minors from Juárez to work as prostitutes at motels in El Paso.

Marquez, who is being held at the El Paso County Jail, pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him, which include sex trafficking of children, conspiracy to coerce and entice immigrants to engage in sexual activity, importing immigrants for immoral purposes, and transporting people for the purpose of prostitution.

If he is convicted, Marquez faces a maximum jail sentence of 20 years for the most serious violations.

Montalvo set jury selection and trial for Marquez to begin May 29.

According to a court document, prosecutors had already "disclosed reports which contain the names of suspected 'Johns' in this case" to Marquez's defense lawyers so they can prepare for the case.

Prosecutors argued in their motion "that information concerning the witnesses, cooperating individuals, suspected 'Johns' and victims in this case to anyone other than counsel and or the defendants, at any time prior to trial, will jeopardize their safety and emotional well-being, and the release of discovery and or any comment by counsel or the parties in this case may adversely impact on government witnesses."

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The government also invoked the issue of privacy as part of the basis for their motion requesting the protective order.

The judge agreed and also ordered all parties in the case not to discuss any details with the media before the trial.

"The government, defendants, designated persons, and defense counsel are prohibited from discussing with any public communications media any aspect of this case which bears upon the merits to be resolved by the jury or which could interfere with a fair trial, including statements intended to influence public opinion regarding the merits of the case, the sole exceptions being matters of public record and assertions of innocence," the court document said.

There is no indication in court documents filed so far whether any of the johns will be called to testify or be charged for engaging in prostitution with the minors or adults who were victims of the alleged scheme.

According to the court order dated Dec. 3, 2012, once the case is concluded, "all discovery materials and any copies thereof, including that which has been disseminated by defendants and their counsel to designated persons, shall be returned to the government or shall be certified to have been destroyed."

The order means that regardless of whether Marquez enters into a plea agreement, information about the alleged sex customers' identities could remain confidential.

Last year, authorities alleged that Marquez had placed job ads in a newspaper that circulates in Juárez, and once threatened one of the sex-trafficking victims after she tried to quit.

"The purpose of these advertisements was to recruit women from Mexico to engage in various acts of prostitution in El Paso," according to the indictment against Marquez. "Once recruited, the women ... engaged in prostitution at the behest of the co-conspirators."

Some ads were for legitimate employment, as well as for "discreet services," the indictment said.

The indictment said one of the females who lived in Mexico responded in 2010 to such an ad that Marquez had placed in the Diario de Juárez newspaper.

Although the female responded to an ad for a caretaker, authorities said, Marquez informed her that the job would consist of making sex videos and prostitution.

Diana Washington Valdez may be reached at dvaldez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6140.